Cheesy Sautéed Cabbage

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This cheesy cabbage is a comforting side dish that turns shredded green cabbage into something special. Creamy havarti cheese melts onto the warm cabbage, creating a rich, velvety texture. A layer of crispy panko breadcrumbs adds just the right amount of crunch. This easy dish pairs well with roasted meats or fish.

Recipe image of cheesy sauteed cabbage.
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

Active Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
  • Cabbage adds fiber to support heart health and digestion.
  • Havarti cheese melts over the cabbage for a buttery flavor. 
  • This side dish comes together in just three easy steps.

This Cheesy Sautéed Cabbage is a cozy side dish that takes simple green cabbage to the next level. The fiber-rich cabbage becomes tender and slightly caramelized, with just enough bite to hold its shape. Creamy havarti cheese adds calcium and coats the cabbage in a blanket of buttery flavor. To balance the creaminess, we top the cabbage with crispy panko breadcrumbs for a toasty finish. It’s an easy yet impressive recipe that comes together with minimal effort, making it perfect for weeknight dinners and special occasions alike. Serve it alongside roasted chicken, pork tenderloin or baked fish for a comforting and satisfying meal. Check out our expert tips for success below.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

  • If you can’t find caraway, feel free to omit it, or use cumin seed or fennel seed in its place.
  • Love dill? Try this recipe with dill havarti cheese, which has a light, grassy and slightly tangy flavor.
  • Cooking the cabbage uncovered at first helps the browning process start. Then adding water and covering helps it to steam and become tender. The water evaporates so the cabbage can continue to caramelize without burning. 

Nutrition Notes

  • Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps support and improve immune health. The vegetable also adds fiber to the dish. Eating enough fiber has many health benefits, including improving blood sugar and heart health as well as supporting digestion. 
  • Cheese, like the havarti used in this dish, offers calcium, a nutrient needed for strong, healthy bones. However, eating cheese may increase your sodium intake. If you’re watching your sodium consumption, try swapping in a low-sodium cheese in place of the havarti.
Ingredients for making cheesy sauted cabbage including a cabbage head shredded cheese butter dill and various seasonings

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

  • 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs

  • ½ teaspoon caraway seeds, crushed

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 8 cups sliced green cabbage

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ cup water

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish

  • teaspoons cider vinegar

  • 1 medium clove garlic, grated (¼ teaspoon)

  • 1 cup shredded havarti cheese

Directions

  1. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons panko and ½ teaspoon caraway seeds; cook, stirring often, until golden brown and toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and set aside. Wipe the skillet clean if needed.

    A skillet with cooked garlic on a marble surface

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

  2. Add 1 tablespoon oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add 8 cups cabbage, ½ teaspoon pepper and ¼ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown in spots, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add ¼ cup water and cover; continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 6 minutes.

    Recipe image of cheesy sauteed cabbage

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

  3. Uncover and stir in 2 tablespoons dill, 1½ teaspoons vinegar and the grated garlic. Top with 1 cup cheese; cover until the cheese has melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with the reserved panko mixture. Garnish with additional dill, if desired.

    Cooked cabbage with melted cheese in a green pot

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use a different kind of cabbage?

    Green cabbage is ideal for this recipe. It’s tender yet sturdy enough to hold up to cooking. You can try red cabbage for a twist, though the color will affect the final dish.

  • What can I use in place of havarti cheese?

    Any mild melting cheese will work. Monterey Jack or fontina cheese would offer a similar flavor and texture.

  • What do I serve with this cheesy cabbage?

    It pairs well with roasted chicken, pork chops, sausages or baked fish. It can be its own vegetarian main dish by serving it over egg noodles or brown rice.

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

EatingWell.com, September 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

252 Calories
19g Fat
13g Carbs
10g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 252
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 5g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 10g 20%
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 44mg 15%
Vitamin A 147µg
Vitamin C 59mg 65%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 7%
Folate 79µg
Vitamin K 126µg
Sodium 360mg 16%
Calcium 287mg 22%
Iron 1mg 7%
Magnesium 31mg 7%
Potassium 339mg 7%
Zinc 1mg 11%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Alex Loh
Square Headshot of Alex Loh
Alex Loh is EatingWell's food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.
and
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.